The Vermont Rural Education Collaborative inspires school communities to LEARN, SHARE, and THRIVE.
Latest News…
Read the latest edition of our newsletter:
The Echo, Summer 2026
See what we’ve been up to over the past few months!
VREC Teacher Reflection and Rejuvenation Retreat
This first-time VREC retreat was held on June 30th and July 1st, at Mead Hill Farm in Holland.
The retreat provided experienced educators from VREC member schools with intentional time to pause, restore balance, and reconnect with the heart of their work. Through grounding practices and aspirational workshops, time in nature, and meaningful connection with peers, participants rediscovered what drew them to teaching, reflected on where they are in their career, and gained clarity about what they want their next chapter to look like
STEAM Integration Fellowship
This professional learning experience, led by Lucie deLaBruere, was held in Newport from July 13–17.
Upper elementary and middle school educators from VREC member schools participated in an immersive, hands-on STEAM camp alongside 5th and 6th grade students.
The experience allowed teachers to build confidence with creative technology while developing practical strategies for authentic STEAM integration in their own classrooms.
Participating educators received a $500 professional development honorarium.
Jessica Applegate, one of the retreat organizers, leads a session at Mead Hill Farm.
Expeditionary Field Studies
Each summer, students in Grades 6 & 7 from VREC member schools can participate in hands-on, adventure-based field studies across Vermont and New England.
Through experiential learning, students explore our region’s history, culture, and ecology while building outdoor skills. No prior experience is necessary - all gear and food are fully provided!
Students strike a pose during the VREC White Mountains Backpacking trip, June 29-July 2, 2026.
A VREC Long Trail Backpacking trip leader approves of the hike! This Expeditionary Field Studies experience took place July 20-23, 2026.
Educator Opportunities:
VREC Member Supervisory Unions, Supervisory Districts, and Schools
VREC serves more than 5,500 Vermont students, Pre-K to grade 12, in 49 public schools in seven supervisory unions/districts in Northeastern Vermont.
Expeditionary Field Studies
Providing middle school students with multi-day, place-based learning experiences such as hiking and backpacking the Long Trail, the Maine Appalachian Trail, and the White Mountains, and paddling the upper Connecticut River.
Explore our Programs
A.I.M.
The Aspire + Imagine + Motivate program empowers middle schoolers to explore their potential and visualize their future. By providing a clear roadmap early on, VREC ensures students enter high school with a purposeful plan toward earning valuable credentials or degrees.
Middle School Transition and Leadership
VREC partners with the Northwoods Stewardship Center annually to provide a day of self-reflection and leadership training to 8th-graders, to help prepare them for the transition to high school.
Professional Learning
VREC hosts a wide range of courses and workshops, along with several professional learning networks in support of educators across our region and beyond.
Mini-Grants
VREC provides grants to schools within our collaborative for student-led, place-based learning, community-based service learning projects, and to support diversity, equity and inclusive practices.MaKenna Kerr
Workforce Development
VREC has collaborated with the VT Agency of Education, VT Department of Labor, VTNEA, institutions of higher education and our member SU/SDs to develop pathways to teacher licensure.
Learn more about the impact we had in the most recent school year by reading our ANNUAL REPORT.
Get access to The Echo newsletter.
WE ARE GRATEFUL TO OUR PARTNERS!
VREC is actively developing partnerships on a local, state, and national level. Our partnerships are based on mutually developed goals and are built over time.
